Che Adams only has one regret when it comes to his decision to sign up for Scotland. He wishes he’d done it sooner.
The Southampton striker took a bit of persuading at first to join the Tartan Army as he politely turned down an initial approach from Alex McLeish.
A few years later and he was on board and he admitted turning out for the nation of his grandparents has worked out way better than he’d ever dreamed.
Leicester born Adams was part of the England youth set up and he even had the opportunity to sign up for the Antigua and Barbuda national side when he was a kid.
The 25-year-old held fire until Steve Clarke came calling – but he’s never looked back.
Adams still pinches himself having gone from playing in the non-league in England to reaching the Euros with Scotland last summer.
And as he gears up for the World Cup showdown with Ukraine, he admits the only downside about the move was he didn’t get on board earlier.
Adams said: “It’s been amazing from the minute I walked in the door. It’s just been a breath of fresh air.
“We have a really solid group here with good lads who are all pulling in the right direction.
“Thats what you need and it’s clear to see it with the performances on the pitch.
“Everyone knows how together we are, how much we run for each other.
“Do I wish I had committed to Scotland sooner? Yes – exactly that.
“It was difficult at the start with deciding to come but since I first arrived it’s been amazing.
“I’ve got nothing but good things to say about the team and the manager.”
Adams’s entire career has been about making the right calls whenever he got to crossroads.
As a kid it was refusing to give up on his dream despite missing out on a place in the English academy system.
Adams blazed a trail from Oadby Town in the United Counties League all the way to the Championship and Premier League – all the way to international football.
It could have been very different for the frontman at the top level though, as he revealed he was courted by other nations and he could have been playing in the Caribbean Cup as a kid.
There was also the chance to play for the England semi-pro team in an international event which was scuppered when he went full time with Sheffield United.
In recent times England came close at youth level but Adams now knows the high road to Scotland was the right path.
He said: “It’s true, I got called up for Antigua to play in the Caribbean Cup but I didn’t really fancy it!
“There was other tournaments as well with England (like the semi-pro Euros ) but I think I made an amazing choice coming in to this set up.
“You look at where we are, the Euros and everything, it’s been an incredible experience.
“Everyone has welcomed me with open arms, including the fans. I’ve had so many amazing responses and I’ve just felt part of the family.
“I’ve loved every minute of it.
“Everyone’s got that dream they want to play international football.
“It makes you a better player.”
Adams still struggles to fathom how he could go from playing in front of one man and his dog to just two games away from the greatest show on Earth.
He said: “I can’t quite believe it. It’s amazing really when you sit down and think about it.
“It’s hard in football to stop and look back because football is just fast forward all the time.
“It’s about taking each game and trying to win.”
Adams didn’t get launched straight in to the side straight away after the Clarke courting as he had to bide his time and find his feet.
But now he is a key man, either alongside Lyndon Dykes or up front of his Todd.
Adams said: “It was difficult when I came in as Lyndon was already here and scoring lots of goals.
“To partner him has been great, we’ve played well together.
“I think I can definitely improve as a player and we can as a squad as well.
“These games coming up are massive and it gives everyone this belief Scotland has a great team.
“I don’t mind where I play. It’s good to play up top on your own and obviously playing with Dykesy makes it a lot easier!
“I’ve played the lone striker role plenty of times. It’s different than playing with two but I like it.”
Adams just loves being involved and even though it’s been a long season with Saints, he’s right up for the crack at Ukraine.
He knows Scotland are up against tough opponents – but so are Ukraine.
Adams said: “They have got quality.
“I’ve played against a few of the Ukraine players. Zinchenko is a great player. I think he plays a different position than he does for Man City. You look at Yarmalencko at Wet Ham, he’s a really good player with a lot of quality.
“We’ll sit down and look at their whole team though. They are decent – but so are we.
“They will be looking at us and thinking exactly the same thing. We have quality in the squad and great team character.
“That stuff doesn't come easy. We are also unbeaten in a while and that’s something we need to keep building.
“The foundations are there thanks to the gaffer and the team. It’s all on the pitch for everyone to see.”
And the World Cup would certainly trump the Caribbean Cup.
